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The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism aims to maintain sustainability with respect to the exploitation of renewable marine living resources. The Marine Living Resources Act of 1998 makes provision for equitable access to resources and clearly addresses the issue of subsistence fisheries, which was excluded in previous legislation.

Mr Horst Kleinschmidt, Deputy Director-General in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, announced that during 2001 the department will, for the first time, establish a regulatory framework for subsistence fisheries. Mr Kleinschmidt considers subsistence fisheries as a means to provide for the poorest of the poor. Consequently, the priority is to grant traditional and other genuine subsistence fishers proper access rights and permits to exploit marine resources for consumption and local sale within their area.

"As much as government is concerned about relieving poverty, we also want to make absolutely sure that the right people and the greatest possible number of people are given an opportunity to obtain access to the resources," said Mr Kleinschmidt. "This department will be very strict in the issuing of permits to subsistence fishers and embarked on a very stringent verification and compliance process to ensure that the resources are exploited sustainably. The objective is a managed sector in which needy fishing communities are provided with food and an income whilst ensuring that stocks are conserved for future generations."

A Subsistence Fisheries Task Group was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive nation-wide study of the subsistence fisheries in order to provide guidelines for the management of this sector. A number of steps have already been taken to implement some of the recommendations of this task team. As part of a comprehensive implementation strategy, a dedicated Subsistence Fisheries Management Unit has been tendered for. This unit, which is to be operational later this year, will handle all applications, verify information, issue permits, monitor compliance and undertake relevant research. Regional Officers will soon be appointed along the coast who will amongst other duties facilitate the establishment of local management structures and improve communication with communities.

Applications for subsistence fishing rights for West Coast Rock Lobster and Abalone were invited from 24 November to 8 December 2000, for the season 2001. Thereafter, a verification exercise was conducted in major fishing communities from 12 to 21 December 2000.Applications are presently undergoing data capture and evaluation based on the factors in the Government Gazette Notice No 21777 of 22 November 2000. The number of applications received for West Coast Rock Lobster for 2000/2001 is 3431, involving 49 towns/forums/communities along the west and south coast. The current catch limit is set at 4 rock lobster per day and the season will be adjusted to allow the 2000/2001 subsistence allocation to be caught. This current total allowable catch (TAC) and fishing rights will be re-evaluated again in 2002.

As a result of the delays in the granting of subsistence fishing rights and the resultant hardship experienced by applicants, it has been decided that all applicants (through their forums where possible) will receive exemptions to fish from today, 7 February until 2 March 2001. Applicants should wait for exemption to be announced before going to sea and lists have been distributed to forums and regional MCM compliance offices. The rights allocation process will be speeded up and the subsistence-fishing season for West-Coast Rock Lobster in terms of these individual permits will start on 5 March 2001 and permits will be distributed during the week prior to this. It should be noted that not all applicants who applied for WC Rock-lobster rights will get rights and permits to fish for the whole 2000/2001 season and after the exemption date has expired, only those with rights and permits will be allowed to fish. However, persons fishing under the exemption will be required to submit accurate data on their catches for the purpose of monitoring the resource.

The following factors will be taken into consideration in the assessment of applications for the 2000/2001 season duly submitted in terms of the Government Gazette Notice No 21777 (22 November 2001):

* Preference will be given to poor South African citizens above the age of 18 years who are able to prove their dependence on marine living resources for a living;

* No person shall obtain a subsistence permit for West Coastal Rock Lobster if he/she already has a permit or fishing right to exploit another commercial or subsistence fishery, e.g. if a person already holds a permit for West Coast Rock Lobster, he/she will not be eligible for a permit for Abalone. Furthermore, if a person is the owner, or shareholder, or member of beneficiary of an entity that holds any fishing rights, he/she will not be eligible for a subsistence fishing right;

* Persons with other forms of regular or fixed income will not be eligible for a permit;

* The permit will be non-transferable and therefore only the registered permit holder will be allowed to harvest the fishery personally and must be able to produce their ID document upon request.

Detailed conditions regarding fishing hours, minimum size, etc. have, in terms of current regulations and additional rules, be communicated to the forums and regional offices on 6 February 2001.

The list of successful applicants for subsistence fishing rights for West Coast Rock Lobster will be posted at all fishing harbours by 28 February 2001 and applicants will be able to collect their permits at the regional MCM offices on 1 to 2 March 2001 in order to start fishing on 5 March 2001. Permit holders will also be required to personally countersign adherence to the permit conditions.

It should be noted that if the conditions of exemptions are contravened, the exemption would be revoked and the person(s) could be excluded from obtaining a right in any fishery in future for a specified period determined by the department. Following further infringements, government may totally ban such a person(s) from obtaining any rights in any fishery.

The applications for Abalone are currently under review. The applications received far exceed the available tonnage and government will release the list of successful applicants in March 2001.Note that the above exemption for West Coast Rock Lobster is part of an interim process and will NOT be undertaken with regard to abalone.

Finally, it is alleged that people are approaching communities posing as government officials to complete applications, promise permits for money and disappear with their money. The department has not given authority for any outside person to act on their behalf and members of the public are encouraged to request individuals to identify themselves as legitimate government officials. Staff will identify themselves by showing appropriate official identification. Any irregularities should immediately be brought to department's attention at the nearest harbour master so that the necessary action can be taken against such unscrupulous people.

For further enquiries relating to subsistence fishing, please contact Ms Linda Gill at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Tel: (021) 402 3043 or Fax: (021) 425 6498

Contact:
Onkgopotse J.J Tabane on 082 465 6166
Zukile Nonjojon bon 082 829 3917

Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, 7 February 2001